First male ‘murder hornet’ captured in Whatcom County
Aug 17, 2020, 12:08 PM
A so-called 'murder hornet' captured in Whatcom County. (WSDA)
(WSDA)
The Asian giant hornet’s presence continues to persist in Washington state, evidenced by the recent capture of a male hornet in Whatcom County near Custer.
State traps first Asian giant hornet near Birch Bay, plans nest eradication
Captured on July 29 and measured at nearly two inches long, this marks the first time a male “murder hornet” has been seen anywhere in the United States. The last hornet captured alive was an unmated queen, snared on July 14. A dead mated queen was also found earlier in 2020.
“Trapping a male Asian giant hornet in July initially came as a surprise,” Washington State Department of Agriculture entomologist Sven Spichiger said in a news release. “But further examination of the research and consultation with international experts confirmed that a few males can indeed emerge early in the season.”
Seven total Asian giant hornets have now been captured in Washington, all of which have been found in Whatcom County. Roughly 1,400 traps have been placed across the state.
The Asian giant hornet is the world’s largest hornet, and a dangerous predator of honey bees, able to destroy an entire hive in a matter of hours. Experts believe that the United States has just a couple years to fully eradicate the hornets’ presence stateside if we’re to prevent it from permanently establishing a toehold in North America.
Rantz: Washington’s Asian ‘murder hornets’ will probably kill us all
Washington residents have been encouraged to set up their own homemade traps between July and October of 2020, alongside a warning that the giant hornet’s stinger is longer than that of a honeybee, with venom that is far more toxic. Typical beekeeping equipment will not provide sufficient protection. Those who are allergic to bee or wasp stings should never approach an Asian giant hornet, nor should they participate in trapping.
If you find a Asian giant hornet in your trap, do not handle the trap yourself, and contact the WSDA immediately at 1-800-443-6684.
